June Newsletter

Dear Parents and Carers,

As many of you already know, I will be leaving Foxton Primary School at the end of this academic year. As we move towards the final few days of term, it feels right to say a few words now, while allowing our Leavers’ Assembly to remain fully focused on celebrating the children, especially our wonderful Year 6 pupils, as they prepare for the next stage of their journey into secondary school.

Writing this is far more emotional than I expected, because being part of the Foxton community over the last four years has been an enormous privilege.

When I first arrived at Foxton, it was immediately clear to me what a special place this already was. Small schools have something unique about them. Children are truly known as individuals, relationships matter deeply, and the school sits right at the centre of community life. Over the last four years, it has been a privilege to work alongside staff, governors, families and most importantly, the children, to build on those strengths and help the school continue to grow and flourish.

Together, we have worked hard to create a culture built around courage, respect and responsibility. We wanted children to believe they could genuinely “Rise to the Challenge”, not just academically, but socially and personally too, and I believe that spirit can now be seen across the school every day. We call this "The Foxton Way".

One of the things I will look back on most proudly is the continued development of our curriculum. We wanted children to leave Foxton with strong academic foundations, but also with curiosity about the world and an understanding that they can make a positive difference within it. Through our work around the Global Goals, the introduction of the Goalkeeper Award, and the use of LYFTA storyworlds, we have tried to nurture empathy, responsibility and global citizenship alongside academic success.

There’s so much from this experience that I’ll carry with me.

I will remember the way staff have embraced change with positivity and professionalism, always putting children first. I will remember seeing children grow in confidence, discovering talents they never knew they had, and achieving things they once thought impossible.

There have also been many memorable milestones along the way. From introducing new traditions such as the Colour Dash, to strengthening much-loved events like our Sports Day and Summer Dancing afternoon, we have tried to ensure that school life remains joyful, memorable and rooted in community spirit.

I am also proud of the investment made into the school environment during this time. Improvements to the building and outdoor spaces, including the outdoor classroom and forest school provision, have created richer opportunities for learning, wellbeing and personal growth.

Another important chapter was the school’s academisation process. While change can sometimes feel uncertain, I genuinely believe this has strengthened the long-term future of the school through greater collaboration, support and professional development opportunities for staff.

It was also wonderful to see the school’s strengths recognised through our 2023 Ofsted inspection, which celebrated the quality of education, leadership, personal development and the caring ethos that makes Foxton such a special place. Since then, the school has continued to go from strength to strength, including achieving its strongest SATs outcomes in 2025. Achieving IQM accreditation this month was another particularly meaningful moment, recognising our commitment to inclusion and ensuring every child feels valued, supported and able to thrive.

But while reports and outcomes matter, the moments that stay with me most are often the smaller ones: hearing laughter around school, seeing friendships form, watching children perform with confidence for the first time (just wait until the Lion King!), or simply seeing pupils happy, settled and proud of themselves. Above all else, I am proud that Foxton is a place where children are known, cared for and championed for who they are.

Over the last four years, we have also strengthened the sense of community around the school. Whether through performances, celebrations, fundraising events, sporting opportunities, visits, clubs or day-to-day conversations on the playground, Foxton has always felt like a place where people genuinely care for one another.

It has been lovely to see the school’s reputation continue to grow within the local community too. Increasingly, Foxton is recognised not only for its academic standards, but also for its warmth, inclusivity, ambition and the care shown to children as individuals.

Schools are never built by one person alone, and everything we have achieved has only been possible because of the dedication of so many people.

To our staff team - thank you for your care, commitment and endless hard work.

To our governors and trust colleagues - thank you for your guidance and support.

And to you, our parents and carers - thank you for your trust, encouragement and partnership over the years. Strong relationships between home and school matter enormously, and I have always appreciated the support this community gives so generously.

Most importantly of all, thank you to the children. Their humour, honesty, enthusiasm and determination are what make Foxton such a joyful place to be every day. Watching them learn, grow and succeed has been the greatest privilege of all.

Although I am excited for the next chapter in my professional journey, Foxton will always hold a very special place in my heart. I leave knowing this is a school full of warmth, talent and enormous potential, and I have every confidence it will continue to thrive in the years ahead.

I would also like to wish Miss Hancock every success as she takes on the role of Headteacher. She knows the school incredibly well and is exceptionally well placed to continue building on everything that makes Foxton so special, while leading the school forward into its next chapter.

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your children’s lives and part of this unique and wonderful community.

With very best wishes,

George Norman

Headteacher